High pressure fluid medium distribution system



April 20, 1943. H. E. HElGlS EI'AL.

HIGHPRESSURE FLUID MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed June 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sneet 1 INVENTOR5 Henry Irrvesf Heigis flrch-ie Tarvart' 'h'.

FIRE PULL HANDLE FOR FLDTATION JEfi QS T'I'FE N LL April 20, 1943. H. E. HEIGIS' ETAL 2,316,739

HIGH PRESSURE FLUID MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed June 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. W I

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH PRESSURE FLUID MEDIUM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Henry Ernest Heigls, West Orange, and Archie Towart, .in, Galdwell, N. 3., assignors to Specialtties Development Corporation, Bloomfield,

' N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 14, 1933, Serial No. mass fluid releasing mechanism is so operatively as sociated with a distributing valve for directing the fluid medium to any one of a plurality of distribution conduits, that the valve must be set in a desired operating position before the fluid releasing mechanism can be actuated.

In another aspect the invention consists in a fluid medium distributing valve capable of directing a fluid medium from a source thereof to any one of a plurality of distribution conduits and in which means are provided to vent to the atmosphere such distribution conduits as are not at any one time in communication with the source of fluid medium, whereby to prevent the building up of any undesirable pressure due to leakage of the fluid medium from the source through the valve.

An example of the type of system to which the present invention is adapted is a combined airplane fire extinguishing and flotation system in which a single container of a fluid medium under high pressure, for example, liquefied carbon dioxide, is used both as the flre extinguishing medium and as the activating medium for the flotation apparatus. While such apparatus may assume a wide variety of forms, there is a present settled commercial practice of providing both automatic and manual operation, the latter in some form of pull-cable operated fluid medium releasing mechanism, so that quick positive operation of the apparatus may be assured in the event that the automatic mechanism fails to function.

In apparatus of the type referred to, in which a single container of fluid medium is employed, it is highly desirable that means be provided to prevent the release of the fluid medium from its container until the distribution or direction valve and that the weight of fluid medium is carefully calculated to perform its intended function, without any excess weight of fluid medium being permissible; so that conservation of the supply of fluid medium is of primary importance. It'is accordingly an object of the present in vention to provide a high pressure fluid medium distributing system capable of directing the flow I ofsthe fluid medium to any one of a plurality of outlets and in which the fluid medium cannot be released from its container until a desired outlet has been connected to the source of fluid medium.

It is, of course, undesirable in apparatus of this type that there be any leakage of the high pressure fluid medium from the operative to the inoperative portion of the distribution system through the distribution valve, particularly from the fire extinguishing portion to the flotation portion of the distribution system.

It is accordingly another object of the invention to provide a high pressure fluid medium selective distribution system which will eliminate undesired pressure due to leakage from the operative to the inoperative portion of the distribution system through the distribution valve.

'I'heabove objects and other objects of the invention not specifically enumerated will appear as the invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view representing a high pressure fluid medium releasing and distribution system incorporating the present in vention.

Figure 2 is a view of the valve of the present invention in partial vertical section.

Figure 2a is a detail of Figure 2 not shown therein.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the valve of Figure 2 on line 3-3.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a control panel mounting the control elements.

Figure 5 is a section of a valve similar to that of Figure 3, showing a possible variation thereof.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the handle and a portion of the supporting panel of the device of Figure 5, while Figure '7 indicates a detail of Figure 6 shown therein partially in dashes and constituting a variation of the detail of Figure 2a as it corresponds to Figure 5.

It should first of all be noted, before the detailed explanation of the-invention proceeds, that the embodiment of the invention chosen to illustrate the principles involved will be described with fe nce t a c mbined airplane fire extinguishing and flotation system, but that no detailed description will be given of those elements of such a system which form no part of the present invention.

It might therefore be well to point out, with reference to such a combined system that the danger of fire presents a greater emergency than the danger of forced landing on water, and that the fire extinguishing apparatus should preferably be designed for immediate operation, whether the airplane be in the air or grounded; there usually being suflicient time, so far as the flotation feature is concerned, for the pilot to exercise reasonable discretion in the manipulation of apparatus and controls. An accidental release of the fluid medium through the flre extinguishing outlet rather than through the flotation outlet is also preferable-as that would involve the lesser disturbance of the ship's operability. Therefore, the most eflective type of apparatus for such a system would be one in which the distributing valve would normally be set for delivering the fluid medium to the fire extinguishing apparatus, and in which a separate control is provided for releasing the fluid medium; and the invention will accordingly be described with reference to such an arrangement.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral I indicates a container for a high pressure fluid medium, 2 a pull-cable operated fluid medium release mechanism attached to the container, 3 the fluid medium outlet of the container, 4 the pull-cable passing from the release mechanism 2 to the pull-handle 5, which is made a part of valve mechanism 9, which in turn is adapted to distribute the fluid medium coming from the outlet 3 through the tubing 6 to either of the outlet conduits I or I as desired and is regulated by rotation oi! the handle 5. Reference numeral 28 indicates part oi! the panel supporting the valve, while 33 represents a second pull-handle adapted to release the fluid medium independently of the pull-handle 5.

With reference to Figure 2, the pull-handle is indicated as having a hollow extension i0 into which is fastened by means or the pin l l, the upof screws 22 and spacer-collars ll, of which one of each is shown here. i

Figure 2a shows the shape of the slotted open ing 32 in the panel 2| through which the stemlike connecting link l2 passes and which permits, when after dueirotation the tangs I! are in line with the slots defining the opening 32, the stem to be pulledout and with it the cable 4, operating the fluid medium release mechanism 2; thereby permitting a release of the medium only when the cock is in a desired position corresponding to a desired predetermined direction of flow of the medium. The shape or this panel opening may be varied to correspond to a plurality of controlled positions of the stem in accordance with the number of outlets in the valve, and the invention is therefore not limited to the particular form shown. 'This control or indexing feature mayialso be left out, in which case it is only necessary to turn the valve'cock t the desired outlet connection and to then pull the handle, thus releasing the' fluid medium in the desired direction. a

The spring 3| in the upper and enlarged part of bore l8 bears against the stem 12 and serves to urge the stem upward and outward when the tangs it are in correspondence with the slots of the opening 32 in the panel.

Iii the sectional view in Figure 5 and the subsequent figures, numerals similar to those of Figure 3 have reference to similar elements. The

device as shown here is able to conduct incomside from a neutral position as indicated.

In Figure 6, handle 5 of the valve of Figure 5 is shown in its neutral position, only one tang I2 per part of the connecting link I2. This link is provided with two tangs I 3 which extend outwardly and mate with a milled slot I4 in the top of rotary cock I5. This arrangement causes rotation of the cool: ,when the handle is rotated. The connecting link I2 is provided with a central bore IS, the lower portion of which is of a smaller diameter to permit to depend, from the shoulder formed thereby, the knotted end I! of the pullcable 4, which thereupon passes out of the link 12 through a central bore It or the valve cock I! to the outside. This cock is snugly and retatably disposed within the valve body I9 which has, as seen in Figure 3, an inlet passage 20 and outlet passages 2| and 22. The cock [5 is held in the valve body by means of a flange-like formation 23 at its lower end and a collar 24 which is fastened to the upper end of the valve where it protrudes above the valve body, by means of a. pin not shown here. The rotary cock I5 is provided with a slot-like port 25 which, however, does notextend to the axial center. Thi center is taken up by the bore l8 as mentioned above, through which passes the pull-cable 41 Two vents 26 and 21 are provided, which consist of two holes drilled radially through the cock, intersecting at the axial passage through which the cable 4 passes. At 28 is indicated the control panel on which the valve mechanism is mounted by means being necessary in this case to cooperate with the two slots in opening 32 of panel 28, corresponding to the two possible positions of valve member II. The slotted opening 32 is shown in Figure 7.

The operation of the system and the releasevalve arrangement may easily be understood from the drawings and the explanation which follows: Thus, when release of the fluid medium is desired, the pull-handle 5 is turned until the tangs I3 correspond to the particular index of hole 22 as desired, indicating thereby that a particular outlet is in communication with the inlet and.

tainer l and conduit 6 to the valve inlet port 2| and out through the particular outlet desired.

Referring to the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated: When discharge of the medium is desired through the outlet'passage 2 I, the 5 valve cock I! being in the position shown in Figure 3, no rotation of the handle I is needed. an-

other pull-handle ",being provided to actuate the cable 4 independently of the pull-handle I: discharge of the medium through the outlet 22 may be had by rotation of the pull-handle l and with it of the cock it until the index opening 22 permits the cable to be pulled by the handle I to cause the fluid medium to pass from the inlet port 20 through the port 25 to the outlet 22.

Under all operative conditions, it being highly undesirable to have any leakage of the medium take place from the inlet passage toward the outlet ports not in operation, the vents 28 and 21 are adapted to place the inoperative outlet ports in communication with the atmosphere through bore It carrying the cable 4. In Figure 3, it may be seen that ii any pressure should develop in the outlet port 22 due to leakage from the port :5, it will be dissipated to the atmosphere through the vent 23 and the bore ll. Similarly when the cock is in the other position, the vent 21 will operate to prevent any fluid medium from passing out to the outlet port 2|.

Figure 4 shows a type of control panel particularly adapted to insure proper operation of the system for the conditions of emergency hereinabove described. Thus, when the release of the fluid medium for fire extinguishing purposes is required, the pull-handle 33 need only be pulled; but where the fluid medium is required for iioation purposes, the pull-handle 5 must first be turned and then pulled.

The operation of the valve of Figures 5 and 6 is similar to that of Figure 4, except that in this case, cable 4 cannot be pulled unless valve member has been turned to the left or right, as desired, and until tang I3 coincides with one of the slots of opening 32. This arrangement is used, for example, on board an aircraft for the coverage of two alternative hazards, the neutral postion of the valve being the normal one.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings,-

it is not to be limited thereto, save as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a high pressure fluid medium distribution system comprising a container releasably confining a high pressure fluid medium, a releasing mechanism adapted to be actuated by a cable, a discharge conduit for said container and a plurality of distribution conduits for said fluid medium, the combination of cable actuating means, a cable secured to said cable actuating means leading to said releasing mechanism, and a distribution valve for controlling the passage of the fluid medium through said distribution conduits comprising a valve body having an inlet adapted to receive said discharge conduit and a plurality of outlet passages adapted to be connected to said distribution conduits, a valve member rotatable in the valve body by said cable actuating means and 3 adapted upon rotation to change the respective outlet passage communicating with the inlet passage of the valve body, cable guide means in form of a passage in said valve member adapted to receive the cable, and a passage in said rotatable valve member corresponding to each outlet passage adapted to connect its respective outlet passage to said cable guide means at a time when said outlet passage is not in direct communication with the inlet passage, to thereby vent said outlet passage to the atmosphere past said cable.

2. In a high pressure fluid medium distribution system comprising a container releasably confining a high pressure fluid medium, a releasing mechanism adapted to be actuated by a cable, a discharge conduit for said container and a plurality of distribution conduits for said fluid medium, the combination of cable actuating means, a cable secured to said cable actuating means leading to said releasing mechanism, a distribution valve for controlling the passage of the fluid medium through said distribution conduits comprising a valve body having an inlet adapted to receive said discharge conduit and a plurality of outlet passages adapted to be connected to said distribution conduits, a valve member rotatable in the valve body by said cable actuating means and adapted upon rotation to change the respective outlet passage communicating with the inlet passage of the valve, and cable guide means in said valve member adapted to receive the cable and together with passages provided in the valve member adapted to vent to the atmosphere those outlet passages of the valve body not in communication with the inlet passage thereof.

3. I In a high pressure fluid medium distribution system comprising a container releasably confining a high pressure fluid medium, a releasin mechanism adapted to be actuated by a cable, a discharge conduit for said container, and a plurality of distribution conduits for said fluid medium, the combination of cable actuating means, a cable secured to said cable actuating means leading to said releasing mechanism, and a distribution valve for controlling the passage of the fluid medium through said distribution conduits comprising a valve body having an inlet adapted to receive said discharge conduit and a plurality of outlet passage adapted to be connected to said distribution conduits; a valve member rotatable in the valve body by said cable actuating means and formed with a port adapted upon rotation of the member to change the respective outlet passage communicating with the inlet passage of the valve body, said valve body having an axial passage therein adapted to permit the movement of the cable therethrough, and a passage in said rotatable valve member for each outlet passage adapted to vent its respective outlet passage to the atmosphere at a time when said outlet passage is not in direct communication with the inlet passage.

4. In a high pressure fluid medium distribution system comprising a container releasably confining ahigh pressure fluid medium, a releasing mechanism adapted to be actuated by a cable, a discharge conduit for said container, and a plurality of distribution conduits for said fluid medium, the combination of a handle, a connecting link extending from the handle, a cable secured to the link leading to said releasing mechanism; a rotatable member in operative connection with the link formed with an axial passage to guide the cable, with radial passages communicating with the axial passage and having a valve port; a valve body coacting with the rotatable member and having an inlet and a plurality of outlet passages adapted to receive the respective distribution conduits, said valve body being adapted in cooperation with the valve port to permit selective passage of fluid medium and in cooperation with the radial passages and the axial cable guide passage of the rotatable member to permit the venting to the atmosphere of those outlet passages not in communication with the inlet passage at any one time, supporting means for said valve body permitting said link to extend therethrough, and key means on said link adapted in cooperation with said supporting means to control the axial movement of the link with respect to the valve body and said supporting means together with the attached cable through said axial passage in accordance with the respective angular position of said rotatable member.

having an opening through which the link passes corresponding in shape thereto and to the lateral protrusions 01 the link to thereby "control the axial movement oi. the link therethrough in accordance with the respective angular position thereof, a valve body secured to said supporting panel and having an inlet and a plurality of outlet passages adapted to be connected to the respective conduits; a rotatable valve cock in the valve body in operative connection with said link and adapted to be rotated by said link protrusions and having a valve port adapted upon rotation of the cock to establish communication between the inlet and any of the outlet passages, an

- 1 axial passage in saidvalve cock serving to guide the movement oi said cable, and radial passages therein communicating with said axial passage leasing mechanism adapted to be actuated by a cable, a discharge conduit for said container, and a plurality of distribution conduits for said fluid medium, the combination of a handle, 'a connecting link fixedly secured to said handle, a cable secured to the link leading to said releasing mechanism, a rotatable member having a recess to slidablyreceive said link formed withan axial passage to guide the cable and formed with a valve port, a spring disposed insaid recess between said rotatable member and .said link, a valve body coacting with the rotatable member having an inlet and a plurality of outlet passages adapted to receive the respective distribution conduits, said valve body being adapted to cooperate with the port or the rotatable member to permit selective passage oi! fluid medium, means disposed between said handle and valve body to support the latter, permitting said link to extend therethrough into said recess and controlling the axial movement oi said handle, said link and said cable.

7. A fire extinguishing system comprising a flask or compressed extinguishing gas, a pipe system connecting it to a plurality of outlets, a rotary selector valve element in said system having different stations for respectively directing discharged gas to a selected one of said outlets, a gasrelease element movable in an axial direction with respect to said rotary element to open said flask, and an operating unit comprising a handle and a link member extending into said valve element being axially movable with respect to and out of said element and adapted for rotatably op-' erating said element and for axially operating said gas release element.

8. A fire extinguishing system comprising a flask of compressed extinguishing gas, a pipe system connecting it to a plurality of outlets, a rotary selector valve element in said system having different stations for respectively directing discharged as to a selected one of saidv outletsfa gas release element movable in an axial direction with respect to said rotary element for opening .said flask, an operating unit comprising a handle and a link member extending into said valve element being axially movable with respectto and out oi said element and adapted for rotatably operating said element and for axially operating said release element, and interlock means for said link member blockingits axial operation in certain rotary positions thereof.

HENRY ERNEST HEIGIS. ARCHIE TOW-ART. J n. 

